At least 230 Palestinian killed in first day of 'Operation Cast Lead' in Gaza. Hamas sources report that IDF sorties continue throughout night, say fighter jets strike mosque killing four people

News agencies |Last update: 12.28.08 , 04:37

"Operation Cast Lead" in Gaza has entered its second day as IDF fighter jets struck some 20 targets in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to Palestinian sources.

Hamas reported that Israeli jets bombarded a mosque in Gaza City and the al-Jazeera television network said that for people were killed in the strike. The offices of Hamas' television station were also hit.

The IDF said in a statement that "the army will continue to strike any target that is used as a base for terror against Israeli civilians. Those who launch terrorist attacks against the residents of Israel's southern communities will not find shelter anywhere."

The Israeli Air Force struck a total of 100 Hamas targets in Gaza on Saturday. Palestinian medical officials have reported at least 230 people killed in the Israeli strikes.

Meanwhile, the rocket fire towards Israel continued throughout the day, and by 9 pm 64 rockets had been fired, of them 44 were fired towards Eshkol and Sdot Negev Regional Council and the rest towards Sderot and Ashkelon.

In photos released by the IDF many of the targets can be seen clearly, and they include a weapons warehouse and a Hamas training facility. Another target hit by the jets was a Hamas security office, which also held a weapons cache. The building had been previously used by snipers and mortar-launching cells.

Meanwhile, the IDF has also begun mobilizing tanks and reinforcement infantry troops
to the Gaza region in the event a ground incursion is ordered. In an interview with the British SKY network, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that ground forces would indeed enter the Strip if the move was deemed necessary by Jerusalem.